"Knightly" News

Washington Street Elementary - December 8, 2023

Upcoming Events:

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December

10: Pool Grand Opening, Otsego Aquatic Center - 3-5 pm
11: PTO Meeting, Media Center - 4 pm
12: Holiday Shop
15: Reindeer Day
15: 8th grade band visits WSE for Holiday Concert
21: PTO Holiday Party
22: Polar Express/Pajama Day

Capturing Kids' Hearts Family Survey

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Every year we ask parents to provide feedback on how we are doing with our Capturing Kids' Hearts processes. The questions get at the root of the climate and culture at Washington Street Elementary. We review the results to celebrate our accomplishments and lean into our areas of growth. This survey should take less than 2 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for your feedback!

CKH Family Survey

OAC Grand Opening!!!

Stuff the Stockings

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It’s time to stuff the stockings at WSE! This annual holiday drive collects hygiene and personal products for Christian Neighbors - these products go fast so we’re hoping to add extra stock to the shelves! Donations can be dropped off each morning at WSE through December 11th!

Holiday Fun!

PTO Upcoming Events

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The WSE PTO meets on the 2nd Monday of every month, in the Media Center, at 4pm. Please join us on Monday, December 11th. We will be planning and prepping for our PTO Holiday Festivities!

Stars

Stars shining bright! We have some amazing talent at our elementary schools! The Alamo/WSE Stars concert was beautiful and fun! Along with the 4th & 5th grade Stars students, Stars alumni and parents joined in for a few songs creating very special moments and memories!

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Bulldog PRIDE

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Congratulations to the following students for being selected as their classroom PRIDE winner for the week!

P - Positive Attitude

R - Responsible Actions

I - Integrity Within

D - Determination to Succeed

E - Expect Excellence

Kindergarten: Atlas Coburn, Gavin Gibson, Allison Whitaker

1st grade:Gunnar Gibson, Dakota Novotny, Kaydence Wrobleski, Joslyn Richards

2nd grade: Jr. Cervantez, Braydon Andress, Lucas Guritz

3rd grade: Sharlette Hettinger, Owen Rohm, Eli Szczembara

4th grade: Joshua Lane, Eli Bushee, Theron Johnson

5th grade: Bentlee Johnson, Aeryn Cervantez, Judah Andrina

Vender Blender

Do you have your own business and would love a captive audience? Our Grad Bash has just the thing for you! They're in search of vendors for a Vendor Blender sale on January 12th during the Otsego/Plainwell game! Sign up to be a vendor today!

Giving Tree

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WSE will once again be adding a little Christmas cheer to local families this holiday season. You are invited to join us in sponsoring a family for the 2023 Christmas season.

You may stop in to take a tag off the WSE Giving Tree. We're asking that all items be returned to the school no later than Friday, December 18th. Please do NOT wrap the items and be sure to include the gift tag with your present so we know to which family member it belongs to.

Please contact Jen Knight, at jknight@otsegops.org, with any questions. Gift cards and monetary donations to go toward gifts are also welcomed. Thank you for your generous gift of giving!

Little Dawgs Basketball

It's the little dawgs turn! Registration is now open for Little Dawgs Basketball! This fundamental skills program is a 6-week program that takes place on Saturday mornings for boys and girls Kindergarten-2nd grade! The deadline to register is January 4th! https://www.otsegops.org/departments/communityed/youthsports

Counselor's Corner

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Independent Play Enhances Your Child’s Mental Health

Does your child love to build things with blocks? Swing from the monkey bars? There’s more to playtime than just having fun new research shows that independent play can improve children’s mental health. Not only does free play bring kids joy, but it also helps them solve problems and even overcome fears. In addition, play is an effective stress reliever. After all, it’s hard to feel stressed when you’re blowing bubbles or pretending to be a superhero! To encourage independent play, provide your child with:

Time. Allow plenty of free time each day. While structured activities like sports and music lessons have many benefits, a busy schedule can interfere with playtime.
Materials. Give your child various things to play with, including toys, art supplies, and props for pretend play. “Toys” don't have to cost a lot - your child can turn cardboard boxes into castles and your old clothing is ideal for playing dress up. Items from nature, like acorns, rocks, and twigs make great playthings too.
Encouragement. Support your child in taking positive “risks” like climbing a low playground rock wall, balancing on a fallen log, getting messy by playing in the mud, etc. These experiences boost confidence and promote a “can-do” attitude that can lead to greater mental well-being.
Independence. Let your child be in charge during playtime. Choosing what to play with and how to play with it maximizes the mental health benefits of independent play.

**Adapted from an article from The Parent Institue

KSO on the Go!

Washington Street students were treated to a special performance from the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra’s String Quartet! The musicians played several songs and also talked about their different instruments.

Watch D.O.G.S.

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Our WatchD.O.G.S. program is officially underway! “Dads” (or dad-like figures) who are interested in signing up to volunteer for a full or half day should contact Angela Bender (abender@otsegops.org) or Jen Knight (jknight@otsegops.org) via email to schedule a date.

When you volunteer, you will receive a schedule for the day that allows you to help out in different classrooms doing a wide range of activities (reading a story, working with a child 1:1 on work, playing a game with a small group). You will also have scheduled time on the playground and lunchroom to interact with students and be a positive role model for them. We need a current background check on file before you can volunteer.